Senate Democrat Leaders Shy From Gas Tax Hike

More and more Democrats are starting to embrace the Republican philosophy that higher taxes aren’t a wise policy prescription for the economy. So it is that Senate Democratic leaders are steering clear of higher gasoline taxes, despite calls for a hike by some of their colleagues, The Hill reports.

Reid

“At this point, the caucus is not ready to sign off on a gas tax or any tax increase,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters Thursday.

The issue came up as Democrats push a multi-year transportation authorization bill. Some of them see a gas tax increase as a way to finance increased infrastructure spending.

But the idea, pushed by Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., “did not generate much support,” a Senate Democratic aide tells The Hill.